Week 8 Deep & Sneaky Starts for All Skill Positions

It is Week 8, and I for one, cannot believe the first seven weeks have come and gone this fast.  Another rash of injuries have decimated lineups already plagued with guys missing time.  We lost Chris Godwin in garbage time.  We lost Brandon Aiyuk early in game the 49ers would have needed him to step up during a season the star WR was underperforming.  Who knows what will happen next?  There are few, if any absolutes to date.  Remember, I do not provide chalky names in this column.  I dig deeper to help you with the harder roster assignments.  Here we go again…onto my Week 8 Start recommendations. 

 Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | Rookie 

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Start These Players:

• Position: QB
• Player: Dak Prescott
• Week 3 Opponent: at the San Francisco 49ers

It is now or never for the Dallas Cowboys.  Dak wanted to be paid like a top QB, and Jerrah gave him the bag.  Dak has looked pedestrian at best even with, arguably the best WR in the league playing outside for him.  The running game appears to be the biggest issue for Dallas which means they should be dropping back and throwing to set up the run not vice versa.  Enter Dak Prescott, coming off a bye at a banged-up 49ers squad.  Give me Dak to come with it this week in a primetime game with plenty of rest and practice during the bye week.    Sneaky Play: Jameis Winston equals fantasy football gold. It is time to eat the dub while Jameis chucks the ball all over the yard to dudes you had never heard of prior to last week.  I look for Nick Chubb to get going in this game, too, but the main points will come from the right arm of Jameis Winston to Cedric Tillman and David Njoku.

• Position: RB
• Player: Zack Moss/Chase Brown
• Week 3 Opponent: at the Philadelphia Eagles

Do not allow the Week 7 game drubbing of the NYG by the Eagles fool you. They are not a powerhouse defense.  NOTE: I did stream them last week and the 15 points was appreciated!  I digress.  The Bengals RB situation has been tricky from a fantasy standpoint for folks that roster either of the two names above.  This is a pure 50-50 split.   This will sometimes be a hot hand situation but both RBs will get theirs versus the Eagles.  I prefer, ever so slightly, Moss over Brown this week, but will all the injuries out there, you can do worse than play both.  I think Moss gets the start which means little to nothing in fantasy football.  I also think he is the PPR play over Brown but it very close for me.   Sneaky Play: In a game that appears (on paper) to be one-sided, I think the Jameis Winston led Browns will make a game of it with the Ravens on Sunday.  I like Justice Hill for both receptions, while spelling Derrick Henry, and garbage time rushing numbers.  I would not be shocked to see Hill get into the end zone for a second straight week while The King gets some much needed rest.

• Position: WR
• Player: Jauan Jennings
• Week 3 Opponent: home versus the Dallas Cowboys

Jauan Jennings, coming off a week missed due to injury, now appears to be the top of the healthy WR chart in San Fran.  Jennings proved he could exist in three WR sets and could even act as a top two guy with the 9ers run game and Brock Purdy’s accuracy helping Jennings.  He has the most air yards on the season and is poised to get a ton of targets with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season.  Jennings will be an almost must start by the time the nasty bye weeks hit us (Weeks 12-14).  Sneaky Play:  Romeo Doubs is my guy for a second straight week.  Fantasy players with recency bias, and you know I am talking to you Mr. Every Week Waiver Wire guy have ignored Doubs but will probably perk up after his Week 7 performance.  I still value him over Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and have him as WR2 closely behind Jayden Reed for the Packers offense about to punch the Jags in the mouth.

• Position: TE
• Player: Cade Otton
• Week 3 Opponent:  versus the Atlanta Falcons

Cade Otton season started after the Chris Godwin injury.  Since the TE position has been such a mess since the start of the season, we are looking for some consistency from our starter.  Cade Otton just became that guy with both Godwin (done for the season) and Mike Evans (possibly out through Week 12) missing time.  Our guy Baker Mayfield trusts Otton.  Otton has good hands and is a big body player who can/will find more targets coming his way.  He may not repeat his 8 catches for 100 yards from Week 7, but I like him in all formats moving forward. Sneaky Play: Will Dissly had a career day in Week 11 (11 targets, 8 receptions, 81 yards) as Justin Herbert looked his way early and often.  Dissly is a nice play especially if Quentin Johnston and Hayden Hurst miss additional time due to injuries.  Dissly did miss practice on Wednesday, so keep an eye on the reports coming out of Chargers land before starting him in deep leagues.

Since you are here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Stiles08. Don’t forget to drop a comment or question down below.  Looking forward to seeing you during our Sunday Start/Sit Show on YouTube @RazzballFantasy two hours before kickoff where we answer all your questions live on the air!

-Stiles-